Just Between Friends is run by local moms. By selling new and gently used children’s and maternity items, families can make money from items they no longer need.

It’s an easy way for families to earn money and shoppers to save.

Here's how it works. Families can price their own items using a free and easy online bar coding system. Then they earn 65 percent of their sale price, with volunteers for the event earning up to 70 percent.

Families can save typically between 50 and 90 percent on thousands of items, like children’s and maternity clothing, baby equipment, furniture, DVDs, toys and more.

Just Between Friends has a recall specialist who tracks product recalls to make sure the merchandise is safe.

There are two events coming up. One is at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and a half-price sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The other event will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2320 Hatfield Road in Pearland, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 12 and 13 with a half-price sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 14.

Both consignment events donate unsold items to local charities. Just Between Friends Sugarland donates items to Fort Bend Women’s Center and Just Between Friends South Houston donates items to Coalition of Hope.

In 1997, Just Between Friends was created in a living room in Tulsa, Okla., when Shannon Wilburn, a mother of two young children, and her friend, Daven Tackett, hosted a sale while inviting 17 friends to be consigners. Promoted only in their neighborhood, the gross sales reached approximately $2,000.

The idea caught on quickly. In 2003, Wilburn and Tackett formed Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc., and began developing and selling franchises. Currently, Wilburn, now sole owner of Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc., has 121 franchises in 24 states.

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